# Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, Oven-Baked

Recipe by [Elena Popescu](https://fridge.menu/en/u/elenapopescu)

Italian-style meatballs baked in a rich tomato sauce with mozzarella, pesto and parmesan, served with pasta.

Servings: 4 · Prep 30 min · Cook 60 min · Meat

Contains: gluten, milk, nuts, eggs

_Labels are worked out automatically from the ingredients and can be wrong. Check the packaging if it matters to you._

![AI photo: Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, Oven-Baked](https://image.fridge.menu/adaptations/9wzct8eg/890c7f6242b7d9d4bfa4a88201df4c910dc7774e804cd01b6ff94d528cf1a621.jpg)

## Ingredients

- 400 g [Minced beef](https://fridge.menu/en/i/ground-beef)
- 25 g [Breadcrumbs](https://fridge.menu/en/i/breadcrumbs) — dried
- 1 pcs [Eggs](https://fridge.menu/en/i/eggs)
- 3 clove [Garlic](https://fridge.menu/en/i/garlic) — finely chopped
- 75 g [Parmesan](https://fridge.menu/en/i/parmesan) — freshly grated
- 1 tbsp [Rosemary](https://fridge.menu/en/i/rosemary) — finely chopped, fresh
- 1 bunch [Basil](https://fridge.menu/en/i/basil) — roughly chopped, fresh
- 1 tbsp [Sun-dried tomatoes](https://fridge.menu/en/i/sun-dried-tomatoes) — finely chopped
- [Salt](https://fridge.menu/en/i/salt)
- [Black pepper](https://fridge.menu/en/i/black-pepper) — freshly ground
- 3 tbsp [Olive oil](https://fridge.menu/en/i/olive-oil) — for frying
- 2 pcs [Onion](https://fridge.menu/en/i/onion) — finely chopped
- 2 clove [Garlic](https://fridge.menu/en/i/garlic) — finely chopped
- 800 g [Canned chopped tomatoes](https://fridge.menu/en/i/canned-chopped-tomatoes)
- 1 tbsp [Rosemary](https://fridge.menu/en/i/rosemary) — finely chopped, fresh
- 2 tbsp [Sun-dried tomatoes](https://fridge.menu/en/i/sun-dried-tomatoes) — finely chopped
- 1 tsp [Sugar](https://fridge.menu/en/i/sugar)
- 2 tbsp [Olive oil](https://fridge.menu/en/i/olive-oil)
- 125 g [Mozzarella](https://fridge.menu/en/i/mozzarella)
- 400 g [Pasta](https://fridge.menu/en/i/pasta)
- 100 ml [Pesto](https://fridge.menu/en/i/pesto)
- 50 g [Parmesan](https://fridge.menu/en/i/parmesan) — freshly grated
- 0.5 bunch [Basil](https://fridge.menu/en/i/basil) — fresh

## Steps

1. Mix the ingredients for the meatballs and let the mince rest in the fridge for half an hour. (30 min)
2. Meanwhile, prepare the tomato sauce. (5 min)
3. Shape all the meatballs. (10 min)
4. Fry them in a hot pan with oil until nicely golden-brown on all sides. (4 min)
5. The meatballs should not be cooked through completely — just sear them quickly, as they will finish cooking in the oven.
6. Fry the onion and garlic in a large saucepan with olive oil over medium heat until the onion softens. (4 min)
7. Add the chopped tomatoes, rosemary and sun-dried tomatoes in oil, stir and bring to the boil. (2 min)
8. Simmer the tomato sauce over low heat for 20 minutes. (20 min)
9. Season the sauce to taste with sugar, salt and freshly ground pepper, mix well. (1 min)
10. Spread the tomato sauce on the bottom of a greased ovenproof dish, place the meatballs on the sauce, sprinkle evenly with mozzarella. (2 min)
11. Bake in a preheated fan oven at 200°C for 15 minutes. (15 min)
12. Remove from the oven, drizzle pesto over the top and sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan. (2 min)
13. Serve hot with pasta or bread, sprinkled with fresh basil leaves.

Published 2026-10-07

https://fridge.menu/en/r/baked-meatballs-in-tomato-sauce-9wzct8eg

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